Asthma -- Treatment

gtfpv · 06-01-2006, 10:47 PM

MY 7 YEAR OLD HAS ASTHMA. it sux she has a mild form and is quite well . but i notice laughing , or coughing or being upset can trigger an acute attack , which needs a puff of ventilin quickly or it gets worse. the ventilin immediately works . she takes a preventative tablet called 'SINGULAIR' WHICH APPARANTELY makes you less sensitive to allergens. she still getsa asthma though the doc says not to take her off it as she may get worse without it. trouble is we dont know if it is working . anyone got any advice . anyone with asthma or children with asthma . its hard to comprehend not having it myself. advice on medicine please . as doctors only generalise, i'm sure some experiance will be well worth me reading . cheers.

Hoops · 06-01-2006, 11:07 PM

I had Asthma and still do i spose, a lot of children will grow out of it however it is hard to tell due to the doctors telling the parents to stay on the medication.
I was taking Ventolin day and night up until a few years ago, it came to the stage where i felt i was dependant on the medication and wasn't sure if i still had Asthma, it was a case of i had been taking it for so long i didn't know what it felt like don't to take it so one morning i decided not to take a puff and see what happened and sure enough i was fine, mind you i always carried my puffer just in case.
Now a few years have passed and i have only taken Ventolin a hand full of times, each individual case is different but i would see how your daughter i off the medication and see how she go's, at least then you will know if she needs it or not.
Hope this helps

**Mechan1k** · 06-01-2006, 11:08 PM

get rid of as many allergies as possible .... if you have carpet ... get rid of it (if you can afford to) ... tiles and floorboards are the best as dustmites and the like don't breed and hang around.

Also breathing exercises help too ... regular use of a peak flow meter can help too.
Athma can be nasty ... especially when an attack occurs ... very sudden ... and can be very dangerous ... especially when the muscles in the airways don't allow the lungs to exhale.

Keep taking the medicine ... if it is easing your childs symptoms ... it is working ... it's always good to keep a nebuliser handy too ... this may be needed at a later date ... I have had to use it when breathing became harder (having asthma and getting regular bouts of bronchitis can be nasty on the lungs).

Even using a large bowl of boiling water and a towel ... breathing in the steam can help too ... with a few drops on eucalyptus oil helps too.

Hope your youngin gets better ... I also found though asthma comes and goes during different stages in life ... some people have it really bad no matter what ... I had it bad between 7-16 ... not it has gone away (sort of) .... but have been told ... changes in life will do this .... so mid-life crisis time ... I'd say my asthma will get worse again.

You can't win.

DOC · 06-01-2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

trouble is we dont know if it is working . anyone got any advice . anyone with asthma or children with asthma . its hard to comprehend not having it myself. advice on medicine please . as doctors only generalise, i'm sure some experiance will be well worth me reading . cheers.

gtfpv, having spent the last 17 years in hospital with kids and in the same ward as sick kids with asthma ( serious ) my advice is simple, get good medical advice not quackery, it all depends on severity but this can get bad with some kids, if it really is a concern see a specialist in this field, if i need my xr to go fast is see chris at bluepower,if i need a new front bumper i see the guys at AWC. if i need medical advice for my daughter i get the best i can.

cheers and hope all works out well.
Pete

**Mechan1k** · 06-01-2006, 11:18 PM

Bloody good advice there DOC.

MYVYSS · 06-01-2006, 11:41 PM

My boy has had Asthma since he was about 2 and is now 6, we use Intal daily (puffer) as a preventative and it seems to be getting better, we also have several plans in place in case of attack, during the COLD season we are also using Flexotide, which is a stronger Steroid puffer, we have also used a Steroid Fluid in mild cases which appears to strengthen the lungs.

I am fortunate enough that my Aunt is a Asthma specialist at a major hospital here, as mentioned before, dont accept what your local GP says as gospel, push the issue get 2nd opinions and do some research. There are numerous treatments available and using a preventative appears to be working in our situation. I suggest finding someone who has a good understanding of the issue and speaking to them about several different options that are available.

The problem we face using Ventolin is that as a stimulant (amphetamine) is it hypes my boy up, which usually invoves more running and the Asthma increases and we need to administer more Ventolin, it becomes a catch 22 situation.

Also look at what type of detergents and toxins are in the house and try to reduce as many as possible, as previously mentioned also look at carpets and there are new pillows available on the market that allow better breathing and "claim" to reduce the number of dustmites, changing their sheets and pillow cases on a regular basis (when really sick we were doing it daily) can reduce the number of attacks. On a side note if you Daughter really enjoys the water, swimming is a great way to increase the lung capacity and help reduce in some cases the number of Asthma attacks.

Here is a link that you may find helpful in deciding and understanding the products available to Asthma sufferers

http://www.lungnet.org.au/Fact%20She...od-health.html

All the very best and I hope you and your family find something that will help..

gtfpv · 06-01-2006, 11:58 PM

THANKYOU SO MUCH TO all replies so far. myvyss, she doesnt get asthma at night while asleep or wake up with it . which makes me think carpets pillows,etc are not a trigger for her . where as i know the cat and dog are . they have never been inside. grass also causes exzma and skin swelling ( sometimes ) if we go to a house where people have pets inside definately a problem.
funny you mention INTAL . that is the only time she was asthma free. betweem 12 months and 2 1/2. then we thought she had outgrown it . it came back at 3 1/2. then she started singulair at age 4-5. singulair has not been as good as hoped.but saying that she hasn't had the 1 to 2 week epuisodes of it since being on it. but the intal seems the go .also i'm told that living up the far north as in cairns and beyond can be helpfull.also country areas. last resorts i guess. no promioses just rumours.

WASP · 07-01-2006, 12:15 AM

Both my girls, 5 & 7 suffer from Asthma and are on preventer medication. One takes a tablet SINGULAIR - which works periodically and she still suffers acute asthma at the sign of a cold. We were told the same thing about the "other allergens" it controls, however I am to believe that it only works very mildly and really does nothing for our daughters other allergens that we can tell. She also is anaphasic to eggs and nuts.

My eldest daughter used to take Intel-forte (a non- steroid puffer) but it became ineffective within a few years. She now takes Flixotide (which is the mildest dose of steroid available and it seems to do the trick). Sometimes when the youngest (who is taking Singulair daily) has a bad run of asthma the doctors put her on a dose of Flixotide at the same time. Quite often this is after we've ended up in hospital for a few days after an attack which is normally started by a simple cold as mentioned before. Needless to say I now dread Winter and Spring !!

gtfpv · 07-01-2006, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDAA

Both my girls, 5 & 7 suffer from Asthma and are on preventer medication. One takes a tablet SINGULAIR - which works periodically and she still suffers acute asthma at the sign of a cold. We were told the same thing about the "other allergens" it controls, however I am to believe that it only works very mildly and really does nothing for our daughters other allergens that we can tell. She also is anaphasic to eggs and nuts.

My eldest daughter used to take Intel-forte (a non- steroid puffer) but it became ineffective within a few years. She now takes Flixotide (which is the mildest dose of steroid available and it seems to do the trick). Sometimes when the youngest (who is taking Singulair daily) has a bad run of asthma the doctors put her on a dose of Flixotide at the same time. Quite often this is after we've ended up in hospital for a few days after an attack which is normally started by a simple cold as mentioned before. Needless to say I now dread Winter and Spring !!

thanks . another thing i've noticed is that prednisone during a cold that brings on asthma seems to be as effective as lollipops.

gtfpv · 07-01-2006, 12:34 AM

slightly off topic but i wonder if something we are doing . like food preservitives or the suppliments women take during pregnancy . or immunisation is bringing on asthma. or nuclear fallout from the french or what have you we are now one of the highest asthma countries in the world. 20 years ago . we were not.

WASP · 07-01-2006, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

thanks . another thing i've noticed is that prednisone during a cold that brings on asthma seems to be as effective as lollipops.

Yeah, we find it quite effective but being so strong we need to limit the intake and it also takes a week to clear everything up.

WASP · 07-01-2006, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

slightly off topic but i wonder if something we are doing . like food preservitives or the suppliments women take during pregnancy . or immunisation is bringing on asthma. or nuclear fallout from the french or what have you we are now one of the highest asthma countries in the world. 20 years ago . we were not.

There are lots of theories as to why the rates are increasing. Unfortunately I am personally a bit of a cynic about the research done into asthma, as most of it is funded by drug companies that make money from Asthma relief medications.

Certainly we don't have pollution problems like some 3rd world countries, yet our rates of asthma are higher than places like India and China - so that rules out pollution in my books. Food additives can certainly make an impact if your child is sensitive to asthma (625 & 627) or MSG is one that has been proven to be a problem - so avoid all of the 62 numbers as they are normally MSG nasties in different forms. Animal hair is normally a problem for kids who have asthma; most of them seem to be allergic to cats especially. An immunologist can rule out animals, dust, pollens, moulds and true food allergies. I’ve found milder food intolerances appear not be detected by immunologists but we have had some success with Naturopaths (although they are discredited by most immunologists!).

gtfpv · 07-01-2006, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDAA

There are lots of theories as to why the rates are increasing. Unfortunately I am personally a bit of a cynic about the research done into asthma, as most of it is funded by drug companies that make money from Asthma relief medications.

Certainly we don't have pollution problems like some 3rd world countries, yet our rates of asthma are higher than places like India and China - so that rules out pollution in my books. Food additives can certainly make an impact if your child is sensitive to asthma (625 & 627) or MSG is one that has been proven to be a problem - so avoid all of the 62 numbers as they are normally MSG nasties in different forms. Animal hair is normally a problem for kids who have asthma; most of them seem to be allergic to cats especially. An immunologist can rule out animals, dust, pollens, moulds and true food allergies. I’ve found milder food intolerances appear not be detected by immunologists but we have had some success with Naturopaths (although they are discredited by most immunologists!).

i paid an immunologist to give her an allergy test . the results came back minor allergy to dustmite only . dog and cat hair and grass negative . if you seen her after a dog lick with 1/2 of her face swollen and red i think you would agree the test was results are very debatable .

**Mechan1k** · 07-01-2006, 06:38 AM

Another thing I have heard from others is that Mangoes can bring on attacks ... but moreso just breathing difficulties ... I know it causes shortness of breath with me.

A lot of food preservatives on the market can cause reactions which in turn can bring on a bout of asthma too.

Mrs Coyote · 07-01-2006, 07:55 AM

You need to try and pinpoint what sets off an attack.

My daughter is now 10 and spent alot of the year in hospital when she was 4. We have had some severe attacks since then. But have pinpointed that stress and when she is anxious sets it off. Had a serious attack at a sports carnival at the end of 100m race when she was 9. Nearly lost her that time.

She takes flixotide and ventolin. I do take her off all meds from time to time in summer to give her a break. I keep on everything in winter because if she gets a cold we are in big trouble if she has not had preventer. She also can't eat a lot of chocolate that sets her off too.

As they get older they will realise what is effecting their asthma and they will be able to help manage it. Try not to make it a big deal for them because my daughter hates taking medication because none of her friends do.

Moving may be an option but I was told you just need to move away from where they were born! We are in Brisbane but when we go to my families in Tamworth she has a really hard time with her asthma, she has also had bad attacks when we have been in Hervey Bay so I'm not sure that moving is an option.

MO · 07-01-2006, 08:24 AM

Try looking up the Asthma Foundation web site...swimming is good exercise to help strengthen the lungs...I think the website is independant of any drug company.

Apart from that, what Doc said.

M14A-Mclaren · 07-01-2006, 11:17 AM

I have Asthma that is classed as a mild form, I use Symbicort, really good ИИИИ I can't remember the last time I got wheezy.

xbgs351 · 07-01-2006, 12:54 PM

I had asthma as a child. I still have exercise induced asthma that takes the form of coughing and wheezing after maximum intensity exercise, especially if the weather is hot and dry.

I agree with the comments that most people have made, but I would like to stress the importance of exercise. It is common to see children with asthma use their asthma as an excuse to avoid exercise, but it's a downward spiral. An unfit kid is close to being short of breath before they develop any asthma symptoms.

Get your daughter into the pool. Have her involved in squad swimming as soon as she is old enough. Children that swim in squads are very fit and almost drown proof. Swimming in Ausswim style of classes will teach them the basics, but won't make them fit or competant at swimming.

I used to run as a child and it seemed to make a big difference to me.

gtfpv · 08-01-2006, 01:31 AM

Thankyou very much peoples i do promote exercise . i explain that lots of people have asthma or some other problem. she does do swimming classes weekly. i am starting to think that our back yard is causing it daily . the dog and the cat and the trampoline and the grass . i havent mowed the cooch for 3 weeks . but all of a sudden she is needing 1 to 2 puffs of ventolin per day. . lots of mixed stories here hope you all get them sorted and continue bieng well. if there are any more comments please feel free. as myself and others may find them usefull. thankyou.

rag top · 08-01-2006, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John McMaster

swimming is good exercise to help strengthen the lungs...

Swimming is what my sister did from a fairly young age to help control her asthma.

Found this interesting fact:
"Dawn Fraser, Neil Brooks, Kieran Perkins, Matt Dunn, Bill Kirby, Todd Pearson ....... - some of our greatest swimming heroes. All have Asthma."

08-01-2006, 08:31 AM

I have had asthma since the age of 22 ,but no longer use a preventative , cold air was a big trigger for me and i was a smoker moved from Canberra to the Gold coast and gave up smoking ,Lucky for me only been hospitalised once but that was very serve i got there with 10% oxygen in my blood they couldn't believe i was conscious and that i drove myself to the hospital , 6 days later i got out ,When i had serve attacks i would go to the shower and take my puffer , for some reason i never took asthma serious till that day in hospital . My daughter has a mild case but does not need a perventative ,she just uses a puffer now and then, i hope she never gets bad as it can be very scary .

The Monty · 08-01-2006, 08:40 AM

I had asthma as a child (mild) and when I was about 4 my mum chucked a pedestal fan in my bedroom for when I sleep. I use it everynight summer or winter and I have not had any asthma since about the age of 5. I have no idea if this is what caused it to go away(?) but maybe it keeps the dust and mites from settling and blows it all out the window. I have no idea, just giving you my story in case it might help.

KEV EB XR8 · 08-01-2006, 10:12 AM

My experience, Sally our youngest, had treatment at the first sign of weezing, shortness of breath at 2yo. first was aero-chamber, then puffers, then steroid-relaxers, all made her so quiet and lifeless, we were so concerned that we asked everybody for help as by this stage the "gp"s told us she was fine.

As good advice took us, we ended up at (camperdown childrens) now at westmead hospital, all specialists in thier fields. took up an entire day of testing,very comprehensive i can say.

"result" Sally was taken off all medication that the "general practitioners" had doped her up with, and put on a single aero-chamber when needed and the main culprit for inducing her weezing------Carpet , picked up by pricktest as a main source of most alergys of this nature

Not all cases the same obviously but the main advise is - seek professional advise...